SuniTAFE Mildura’s Automotive Workshop was transformed last night for the second annual Trades Night event.

Apprentices and their friends, family, teachers, and employers gathered on campus to share dinner and refreshments and celebrate the academic year.

A significant portion of SuniTAFE’s student cohort is made up by trades apprentices across the automotive, carpentry, electrical, engineering, and plumbing departments.

In recognition of this, the first Trades Night event was offered last year to recognise these students in a casual atmosphere and to give members of industry the opportunity to join in the celebration.

This year’s event was bigger and proved more popular amongst apprentices, with more than 100 guests in attendance.

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the 2023 Trades Awards winners.  

The hard work and exceptional results of students across each trade were recognised, with 25 awards being handed out overall.

Amongst the award winners was Thomas Bevan who was named Outstanding 3rd Year Heavy Automotive Apprentice. Not only was this his second consecutive year of winning a Trade Award, he also won a gold medal for Victoria at this year’s WorldSkills Australian National Championships.  

Other second time winners were Shane Powell who won Outstanding 2nd Year Light Automotive Apprentice and Fletcher Collins who was awarded Outstanding 3rd Year Carpentry Apprentice.

The second annual Max Hart Memorial Award, established in the memory of former SuniTAFE teacher Max Hart, was awarded to Levi Cesarello. Levi was recognised for his ability to overcome hurdles to ultimately achieve success in his coursework.

“It is great to be able to recognise the performance of our trade students and celebrate their efforts in the completion of another year of study,” SuniTAFE Chief Executive Officer Brett Millington said.

“For some, it is an award in recognition of their skills development over a period of time, while others it is just the start of the journey.”

“The important thing for all of them has been to be recognised by their teachers for the quality of their work and their application to task.”

Award winners will be put forward for Apprentice of the Year at the SuniTAFE Graduation and Awards ceremony in March next year. 

 

Full list of award winners

Outstanding 1st Year Heavy Automotive | Sponsored by Snap-On Tools
Ethan Flanner

Outstanding 2nd Year Heavy Automotive | Sponsored by Snap-On Tools
Grady Mik

Outstanding 3rd Year Heavy Automotive | Sponsored by Snap-On Tools
Thomas Bevan

Outstanding 1st Year Automotive Electrical Technology | Sponsored by Training Systems Australia
Jackson Clark

Outstanding 2nd Year Automotive Electrical Technology | Sponsored by Training Systems Australia
Rylan Robinson

Outstanding 3rd Year Automotive Electrical Technology | Sponsored by Training Systems Australia
Matt Morello

Outstanding 1st Year Light Automotive | Sponsored by Mildura Motor Holdings
Dakoda Hensgen

Outstanding 2nd Year Light Automotive | Sponsored by Mildura Motor Holdings
Shane Powell

Outstanding 3rd Year Light Automotive | Sponsored by Mildura Motor Holdings
Jamie Hayes

Outstanding 1st Year Engineering Mechanical Trade | Sponsored by SMGT
Brayden Asimos

Outstanding 2nd Year Engineering Mechanical Trade | Sponsored by SMGT
Mason Anderson

Outstanding 3rd Year Engineering Mechanical Trade | Sponsored by SMGT
Javen Ricevuto

Outstanding 1st Year Engineering Fabrication Trade | Sponsored by SuniTAFE
Andrew Stewart

Outstanding 2nd Year Engineering Fabrication Trade | Sponsored by SuniTAFE
Kobe Flack

Outstanding 3rd Year Engineering Fabrication Trade | Sponsored by SuniTAFE
Ned Cronin

Outstanding 1st Year Carpentry | Sponsored by Brent Williams and Associates
Luke Fitzgerald

Outstanding 2nd Year Carpentry | Sponsored by Brent Williams and Associates
Brady Priest

Outstanding 3rd Year Carpentry | Sponsored by Brent Williams and Associates
Fletcher Collins

Outstanding 2nd Year Electrical | Sponsored by Energy Safe Victoria
Tanner Begg

Outstanding 2nd Year Electrical | Sponsored by Energy Safe Victoria
Ethan Fryer

Outstanding 3rd Year Electrical | Sponsored by Energy Safe Victoria
Zachary Shepherd

Outstanding 1st Year Plumbing | Sponsored by SuniTAFE
Justin Lowe

Outstanding 2nd Year Plumbing | Sponsored by SuniTAFE
Blake Martin

Outstanding 3rd Year Plumbing | Sponsored by SuniTAFE
Justin Broek

Max Hart Memorial Award | Sponsored by Max Fry Smash Repairs
Levi Cesarello